Charging Handle

ABSTRACT

A charging handle for a 10/22® rimfire firearm includes a grip portion having a blind aperture and a rear portion capable of being coupled to an action/bolt of the firearm, such that the charging handle further comprising a weight that is based on a velocity of a .22LR caliber bullet and blowback operating conditions for the 10/22® rimfire firearm. In one exemplary embodiment, the weight is further based on a proper cycling of the action/bolt of the firearm. In another exemplary embodiment, the charging handle is formed from stress-proof steel. In still another exemplary embodiment, the charging handle is formed from 302 stainless steel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. (Attorney Docket No. 130.0005P), filed Nov. 5, 2005, invented by Leland J. Richeson, entitled “Charging Handle,” and which is incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY

The subject matter disclosed herein provides a charging handle for a 10/22® rimfire firearm, comprising: a grip portion having a blind aperture and a rear portion capable of being coupled to an action/bolt of the firearm, such that the charging handle further comprising a weight that is based on a velocity of a .22® caliber bullet and blowback operating conditions for the 10/22® rimfire firearm. In one exemplary embodiment, the weight is further based on a proper cycling of the action/bolt of the firearm. In another exemplary embodiment, the charging handle is formed from stress-proof steel. In still another exemplary embodiment, the charging handle is formed from 302 stainless steel.

The subject matter disclosed herein also provides a charging handle for a 10/22® rimfire firearm, comprising: a grip portion having a blind aperture, and a rear portion capable of being coupled to an action/bolt of the firearm, such that the charging handle further comprising a weight that is based on a proper cycling of the action/bolt of the firearm. In another exemplary embodiment, the charging handle is formed from stress-proof steel. In still another exemplary embodiment, the charging handle is formed from 302 stainless steel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter disclosed herein is illustrated by way of example and not by limitation in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C respectively depict a front, a side and a top view of a charging handle according to the subject matter disclosed herein; and

FIGS. 2A-2D respectively depict a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, a top view and a rear view of a second exemplary embodiment of a charging handle 200 according to the subject matter disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a charging handle. One exemplary embodiment of a charging handle according to the subject matter disclosed herein comprises an oversized and ergonomical designed charging handle for a .22LR caliber Ruger® model 10/22® rimfire rifle and carbine. A charging handle according to the subject matter disclosed herein is more comfortably to operate and more aesthetically pleasing than a charging handle that is standardly available on a firearm.

A charging handle is a device that allows manual control of a action/bolt assembly of a firearm, whether the manual control be to cycle a round into the chamber of the firearm and cock the firearm for making the firearm ready to fire, or to lock open the action/bolt assembly of the firearm for clearing the action, unloading the firearm, or for maintenance.

FIGS. 1A-1C respectively depict a front, a side and a top view of a charging handle 100 according to the subject matter disclosed herein. Charging handle 100 comprises a grip portion 101 and a rear portion 102. Grip portion 101 comprises a blind aperture or hole 103 that is formed in the body of grip portion 101. Rear portion 102 includes a slot 104 and an aperture 105. Slot 104 allows rear portion 102 to couple together correctly with the bolt of the firearm (not shown in FIGS. 1A-1C). Aperture 105 is adapted to receive a guide rod (not shown) having a compressed spring that provides a return force for placing the action/bolt to its correct firing position and for re-cocking the firearm. The guide rod (not shown) is held in aperture 105 using a well-known technique.

In one exemplary embodiment, a charging handle according to the subject matter disclosed herein is formed from a stress-proof steel using well-known techniques. In another exemplary embodiment, a charging handle according to the subject matter disclosed herein is formed from 302 stainless steel using well-known techniques. In one exemplary embodiment, a charging handle made from stress-proof steel could be blued with a polished or matte finish. In one exemplary embodiment, a charging handle made from 302 stainless steel could have a polished or matte finish. It should be understood that a charging handle according to the subject matter disclosed herein can be formed from other suitable materials.

The weight of the charging handle is selected so that the charging handle functions correctly with .22LR caliber ammunition, and to ensure proper cycling of the action, taking into account velocity of the .22LR caliber bullet and blowback operating conditions of the firearm. For example, one embodiment of a charging handle according to the subject matter disclosed herein is between about 40 grams and about 45 grams. The specific dimensions of grip portion 101 and blind hole 103 are selected in combination with the material used to form the charging handle so that a charging handle according to the subject matter disclosed herein is intended operate within factory operating tolerances of the original charging handle on the firearm.

FIGS. 2A-2D respectively depict a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, a top view and a rear view of a second exemplary embodiment of a charging handle 200 according to the subject matter disclosed herein. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B is taken along line A-A in FIG. 2D.

Charging handle 200 comprises a grip portion 201 and a rear portion 202. Grip portion 201 comprises a blind hole 203 that is formed in the body of grip portion 201. Rear portion 202 includes a slot 204 and an aperture 205. Slot 204 allows rear portion 202 to couple together correctly with the bolt of the firearm (not shown in FIGS. 1A-1C). Aperture 205 is adapted to receive a guide rod (not shown) having a compressed spring that provides a return force for placing the action/bolt to its correct firing position and for re-cocking the firearm. The guide rod (not shown) is held in aperture 105 using a well-known technique.

An exemplary size of grip portion 201 of exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C is about 0.99 inches in length and about 0.75 inches in diameter. Exemplary dimensions of blind hole 203 are about 0.898 inches in depth and 0.550 inches in diameter. An exemplary length of rear portion 202 is about 1.117 inches. An exemplary width of rear portion 202 is about 0.373 inches. Slot 204 has exemplary dimensions of about 0.571 inches wide and 0.115 inches deep. Aperture 205 has a diameter of about 0.144 inches. Slot 206 (FIG. 2B) has exemplary dimensions of about 0.410 inches wide and 0.107 inches deep. It should be understood, though, that specific dimensions will vary for each particular .22LR caliber Ruger® model 10/22® rimfire rifle and carbine.

Although the foregoing disclosed subject matter has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced that are within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the subject matter disclosed herein is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims. 

1. A charging handle for a 10/22® rimfire firearm, comprising: a grip portion having a blind aperture; and a rear portion capable of being coupled to an action/bolt of the firearm, the charging handle further comprising a weight that is based on a velocity of a .22LR caliber bullet and blowback operating conditions for the 10/22® rimfire firearm.
 2. A charging handle according to claim 1, wherein the weight is further based on a proper cycling of the action/bolt of the firearm.
 3. A charging handle according to claim 1, wherein the charging handle is formed from stress-proof steel.
 4. A charging handle according to claim 1, wherein the charging handle is formed from 302 stainless steel.
 5. A charging handle for a 10/22® rimfire firearm, comprising: a grip portion having a blind aperture; and a rear portion capable of being coupled to an action/bolt of the firearm, the charging handle further comprising a weight that is based on a proper cycling of the action/bolt of the firearm.
 6. A charging handle according to claim 5, wherein the charging handle is formed from stress-proof steel.
 7. A charging handle according to claim 5, wherein the charging handle is formed from 302 stainless steel.
 8. A charging handle according to claim 1, wherein the weight comprises between about 40 grams and about 45 grams.
 9. A charging handle according to claim 5, wherein the weight comprises between about 40 grams and about 45 grams.
 10. A charging handle according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the grip portion is about 0.75 inches.
 11. A charging handle according to claim 10, wherein a depth of the blind aperture is about 0.898 inches and a diameter of the blind aperture is about 0.550 inches.
 12. A charging handle according to claim 1, wherein a depth of the blind aperture is about 0.898 inches and a diameter of the blind aperture is about 0.550 inches.
 13. A charging handle according to claim 5, wherein a diameter of the grip portion is about 0.75 inches.
 14. A charging handle according to claim 13, wherein a depth of the blind aperture is about 0.898 inches and a diameter of the blind aperture is about 0.550 inches.
 15. A charging handle according to claim 5, wherein a depth of the blind aperture is about 0.898 inches and a diameter of the blind aperture is about 0.550 inches.
 16. A charging handle according to claim 2, wherein a diameter of the grip portion is about 0.75 inches, and wherein a depth of the blind aperture is about 0.898 inches and a diameter of the blind aperture is about 0.550 inches.
 17. A charging handle according to claim 16, wherein the weight comprises between about 40 grams and about 45 grams.
 18. A chagrining handle according to claim 5, wherein the charging handle further comprises a weight that is based on a velocity of a .22LR caliber bullet and blowback operating conditions for the 10/22® rimfire firearm, and wherein the weight comprises between about 40 grams and about 45 grams.
 19. A charging handle according to claim 18, wherein a diameter of the grip portion is about 0.75 inches.
 20. A charging handle according to claim 19, wherein a depth of the blind aperture is about 0.898 inches and a diameter of the blind aperture is about 0.550 inches. 